by Paula Kay
“Honey, I have something for you—but only if you want to wear it. If you don’t want to it’s fine, so be honest with me.”
“What is it?” Isabella grinned as she walked to where her mom was holding up the item. “Mom! Is that your veil?”
Emily nodded, and Isabella didn’t miss the tears in her eyes. “It is. If you like it—if you want to wear it. Well, let’s try it on so you can see it, shall we? Do you have your brush?”
Isabella nodded and crossed the room to retrieve the hairbrush that she’d been using earlier while she and Jemma had been experimenting with different hairstyles. She handed it to her mother and took the veil from her hands to hold while Emily brushed her hair.
“Honey, let’s have you sit.”
Isabella sat there feeling the methodic long strokes of the hairbrush going through her hair as it cascaded around her shoulders. If she were to close her eyes, she could have been six years old again—sitting in the living room by the fireplace while her mother gently brushed the knots out of her hair and her father sat reading a book in his leather recliner.
She didn’t even realize the flood of tears was coming until she felt Emily’s gentle fingers wiping those tears away.
“I sure do hope those are happy tears.”
Isabella sniffled, noticing that Emily was crying also. “They are happy tears. For all the memories you’ve given me. You and Dad gave me such a good life and now—I just still can hardly believe it, can you, Mom?” She turned around to look Emily in the eyes. “It’s funny how life turns out, isn’t it?”
“Yes, I suppose it is. Isabella, your father and I are so proud of you and we love you so very much. Nothing has made us happier than to see how fulfilled you seem to be—how you’ve found your way to what truly makes you happy. It’s all we’ve ever wanted for you.”
Isabella nodded. “Mom? Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“All of this—our family here in Italy—it really is alright with you and Dad, isn’t it? I mean, I never wanted you to feel like I was choosing them over you or anything and—well, I don’t think that you do feel that way. But I just want to ask you—to be sure.”
Emily hugged her tight. “Oh, honey. We love Lia and Antonio—and everyone. If anything, when they brought you into their family, they brought us too. Your father and I feel completely included—and loved. Oh, there seems to be a lot of love to go around with this lot, doesn’t there?”
They both laughed.
“You’re not wrong. They do love you—all of them do—and I know that they consider you family just as much as they do me.” She turned back around again and handed her mom the headpiece with the veil. “It’s really pretty incredible, this very cool family of ours, isn’t it?”
Emily took the headpiece and laughed. “It sure is, honey. Now let’s see if I can get this into your lovely hair.”
Isabella waited while Emily used some pins in her hair and then she felt her hands on her shoulders. “Okay, now you can look.”
Isabella stood up to look at herself in the full mirror once again, gasping as she did so. “Oh, it’s gorgeous. And it really seems to match the look of my dress too, doesn’t it?”
Emily nodded. “I think it does. You look stunning, Izzy. What do you think? It’s yours if you want it.”
“I think it looks incredible—well, if anyone were asking my opinion, that is.”
Isabella and Emily both turned to see Blu, followed by Jemma, Gigi, Lia and Kylie and Gabriella entering the room.
“Oh, Bella, you look just like a princess,” Kylie said.
Gabriella ran over and stroked the satin material of her gown. “It’s so beautiful.” She turned toward Blu. “When I get married one day, will you make me a dress just like Bella’s?”
The grown-ups all laughed and Blu reached down to give the little girl a hug. “You bet, honey.”
Isabella turned toward the women. “Look what my Mom brought me! Do you love it? It’s really pretty, right?”
“It’s gorgeous, Bella. And how wonderful,” Gigi said.
Lia reached out to fan the veil behind Isabella’s head. “I think it’s the perfect touch.”
“And you’re going to look perfect also, my dear. You’re so gorgeous.” Jemma hugged Isabella and then sat down in the chair opposite her.
Emily walked over to give Isabella a hug, then turned toward Kylie and Gabriella. “Well, I’d promised two girls ice cream at the beach—if it’s okay with their moms?”
“Yes! Can we Mom?” Gabriella said.
“Please?” Kylie said, using her best puppy dog eyes on Blu. “I promise we’ll eat dinner.”
Blu and Lia laughed.
“Go on.” Blu said.
“I’m planning for dinner at six tonight. On the early side, since we all need to be up and on the road tomorrow morning,” Lia said.
“We’ll be here.”
“Have fun, girls,” Isabella said as she carefully took her headpiece off, then sat down next to Jemma on the sofa.
“How are you feeling? Getting excited? Ooh, how are those vows coming along?”
Isabella had promised herself that she’d finish her wedding vows before leaving Positano. It was something that she and Thomas had agreed on right away—that it was important to them to write their own vows to one another. Thomas swore his were already complete—something which impressed Isabella, as she’d been working on hers since Thomas had left for New York.
“They’re coming along.” Isabella laughed. “I’ve going to finish them tonight.”
“Well, I’m sure they’ll be brilliant, as is everything you write.” Jemma laughed.
“But more importantly they’re from your heart. That’s what Thomas cares about, I’m sure,” Gigi said.
“I could not agree more.” Isabella grinned as she looked around at her grandmother and friends seated beside her. Still in her gown, the moment seemed surreal to her. She was getting married in just two days.
Lia reached out to hold her hands. “You are beaming, Bella.”
Jemma smiled as she reached inside her handbag to pull out a small bag. “So, Bella, we still have some important wedding details to discuss.”
“Really?” Isabella grinned, wondering what her friend had on her mind.
The women had sat around the table earlier in the week to hammer out every detail of the wedding and what still needed to happen. Lia’s good friend, Rebecca, had volunteered to be the coordinator for everything that was to happen on the wedding day.
Sofia, the manager of Thyme, was in charge of all the food and the reception, which would also be held at the vineyard.
Antonio had left with all the men earlier that morning to make sure that every last detail was in place.
Yes, it seemed that all they needed to do was arrive at the vineyard to make this wedding become a reality.
Jemma, Lia, Gigi, and Blu looked at one another.
“So, let’s not forget tradition amidst all the festivities,” Jemma said.
“You have your something old—the gorgeous headpiece from your mother—but I too would like to contribute to the cause.” Gigi laughed and handed Isabella a folded handkerchief. “You can keep this in your handbag. It was given to me by my grandmother.”
Isabella gently unfolded the beautifully embroidered material. “It’s so pretty.” She leaned over to kiss Gigi on the cheek. “What a sweet idea. Thank you so much. And I’m sure I might have use for drying a few tears that day.”
“I think we’ll all be shedding our share of tears. I know I will be,” Lia said and then turned on the sofa to face Isabella. “So, you have your something old and your dress—courtesy of our very own talented Blu Foster—is your something new, of course. Here is something I want to loan you for your something borrowed. It’s a gift that Antonio gave me on our wedding day, actually.” Lia handed her a small box.
The sparkle of the diamonds took Isabella’s breath away, as she opened the lid and
carefully brought out the delicate bracelet. “Oh, it’s beautiful, Lia. I’m so honored to wear it. Thank you.” She leaned over to hug her grandmother.
“And last but not least.” Jemma winked playfully as she tossed the small bag that she’d been holding in her lap to Isabella. “Your something blue, my dear.”
“Should I be afraid?” Isabella grinned as she peeked in the bag and then pulled out a blue garter.
“The obligatory blue garter.” Jemma grinned.
Isabella laughed as she reached over to get something out of her own handbag. “Thank you all—so much—not just for these gifts, but for everything—for being with me through all the planning and for enjoying it all as much as I’ve been enjoying it.”
“Of course, honey,” Lia said.
“We wouldn’t have it any other way,” Gigi said and Isabella saw her wipe at her eyes quickly.
“Now, I have something to show you all. It’s one more thing I’m adding to my look for the wedding day.” Isabella grinned and took the lid off the small box in her lap. She held out the simple silver necklace.
“The locket.” Lia smiled and the others were silent as Gigi reached for tissue to dry her tears.
Isabella nodded her head. “I put it on a necklace—because I wanted to wear it close to my heart.” She carefully opened it to reveal two pictures, one tucked on each side.
“Can I see, sweetie?” Lia reached out her hand and Isabella placed the locket open in her palm. “Oh, it’s the picture of Ari—from the day she and I were sightseeing in Florence.”
“It is. I love that picture of her. It’s one of my favorites because the look on her face is one of total happiness.” Isabella reached her hand out to Lia’s arm. “She must have been so happy with you on that trip.”
It was Lia’s turn to reach for a tissue. “She was. She was very happy, Bella.”
Isabella shifted her weight slightly. “I’m sorry. I really don’t want to make everyone sad. That’s not my intention.”
“Oh no, honey. These are not tears of sadness. Only happy tears. I’m just remembering and knowing how delighted Arianna would be that all of us are here together with you now,” Lia said.
“I agree with that,” Gigi said. “There is no sadness. We are only celebrating with you, Bella—and possibly getting extremely sentimental in our old age.” Gigi laughed.
“Can I see, Lia?” Jemma held out her hand for the necklace. “And that’s you right, Bella? Is this the original picture that Ari had in the locket?”
Isabella nodded. “It is.” She was thoughtful for a moment.
“Are you okay?” Jemma looked at her and handed back the necklace.
“Yes.” Isabella smiled. “I was just thinking that maybe one day I’d be placing a picture of my own daughter in the locket.”
Isabella didn’t miss the look that passed between Lia and Gigi.
“Well, you know that we are certainly ready for more little ones around the vineyard,” Lia said.
“It keeps us young, doesn’t it?” Gigi winked.
“Well then, in that case, I’m sure Thomas and I will be getting right on that. We certainly don’t want anyone growing old around here.” Isabella laughed as she put her new treasure away, feeling completely happy and ready for the next chapter of her life to begin.
Chapter 25
Lia stood back and watched Isabella with Emily. It was a tender moment between mother and daughter, and Lia couldn’t help the draw she felt to observe them from a distance.
Over the years, she and Antonio had come to consider Emily and Richard just as much a part of their family as Isabella was. It had been very important to them that Isabella’s parents not feel excluded at all during the process of Lia and Antonio’s getting to know their granddaughter, and Emily and Richard had been remarkably supportive and open from the moment Isabella had first connected with her grandparents.
Isabella lifted her hair up and Emily fastened the clasp of the locket around her neck, whispering something in her daughter’s ear that made her laugh.
That laugh.
It seemed strange to think it after so much time had passed, but if Lia closed her eyes and listened to Isabella’s laugh, she could imagine that when she opened them, it would be Arianna laughing in front of her. Time would have lessened what she remembered about the daughter whom she’d known for such a short time, were it not for Isabella in their lives. Lia was so very grateful for that.
“Isn’t she beautiful, my love?”
Lia felt Antonio’s arms around her from behind at the same time as she heard his words whispered in her ear. She put her hands over his resting at her waist.
“She’s every bit the gorgeous bride that I knew she would be.” Lia smiled.
Isabella and Thomas had decided to have their ceremony in the morning, followed by an outdoor lunch and party in the vineyard.
So far, the morning had been perfect. All the women had gathered in one of the bigger guest homes on the property. They’d had mimosas and a light breakfast of fruit and croissants, Lia prepared to have to coax Isabella—who hadn’t needed coaxing at all—into eating.
Lia smiled thinking about how calm Isabella had been throughout the weeks leading up to today. There hadn’t seemed to be any nerves at all—she only wanted to be Thomas’s wife and she’d said that there was nothing to feel nervous about.
“She looks like Arianna, doesn’t she?” Antonio said, his words still a whisper in Lia’s ear.
Lia nodded against his chest. “I’m glad she decided to wear her hair down. I overheard Thomas tell her once how much he loved it down around her shoulders like that.” Lia whispered back.
They’d had a team come in to do all of their make-up and hair. Isabella had sat patiently in the same chair for well over an hour, while her hair was twisted and pulled, until finally she’d stood up and apologized to the hairstylist before pulling the pins out. “I’m sorry. It’s lovely. Really. But it just isn’t me. Let’s leave it down, please.”
Lia and Antonio turned just slightly in the doorway to wave at Nina, who was headed their way with her camera. She kissed them each on the cheek and smiled as she moved around the couple to snap some candid shots of Isabella with Emily.
Moments later, she was taking pictures of Lia and Antonio as well and then finally she stopped to chat.
“I’ve got some great shots already this morning. The way the light is streaming in—it’s so beautiful. I can’t wait to shoot the bride and groom together out there. Seriously, your vineyard has got to be the most incredible location for a wedding that I’ve ever seen. Isabella is a lucky bride.” She smiled.
“We’re the lucky ones—that our granddaughter would allow us such a role in her big event,” Antonio said.
“She adores you, you know,” Nina said.
Lia smiled as she glanced back toward Isabella, who was now smiling in their direction. “Well, we sure do adore her.”
“Shall I get a few pictures of the two of you with Bella? I’ll be taking formal shots later, but I always love the candid ones that get snapped pre-wedding—and the brides always seem to love those the most too.”
Lia and Antonio nodded and walked over to Isabella, hanging back just a little as it looked like Emily was preparing to leave. She embraced her daughter, and Lia saw Isabella patting at her cheeks with a tissue before she kissed her mom and told her that she’d see her in the vineyard.
“How are you doing, Bella? Can I get you anything, sweetheart?” Lia said.
“No. No thanks, Lia. I’m fine. I just had a pretty emotional talk with my mother. I’m so not prepared to be crying this much. No one told me how emotional this was going to be—pre-wedding, I mean.” Isabella laughed. “I’ve been promised a quick touch-up with my make-up before I go, so I’m trying not to worry about it.”
Lia’s fingers tightened around the envelope that she held. She was sure that Isabella hadn’t shed the last of her tears.
Antonio reached out to give
Isabella a big hug. “Well, honey, I’m headed back outside. Not to make you nervous, but the guests are starting to arrive. I just wanted a moment to tell you how beautiful you look—and how taken that young man is going to be when he sees you walking toward him. In fact, I think I better go warn him to bring tissues himself.”
Isabella laughed. “Thank you—for everything—both of you. You are making my dreams come true right now. I feel like I’m right in the middle of every fairy tale I’ve ever read as a child. And I owe that to you two.”
Lia hugged Isabella and then kissed Antonio on the cheek. “Honey, I’ll be out shortly. Save me a good seat.” She laughed, then turned her attention to Isabella. “Bella, can you sit over here on the sofa with me for a minute? Will it be okay—with your dress?”
“Oh, yes. Rebecca says she is going to have them refresh me one more time before I make my way outside.” Isabella sat down carefully next to Lia.
Lia smiled at Isabella and then took a deep breath in before she spoke. “My darling granddaughter, I have something for you—something special.”
Isabella’s eyes widened as her gaze fell to the envelope in Lia’s hands. “Okay. What is it?” She whispered the words to Lia.
Lia placed the envelope in Isabella’s lap with the writing side up. The handwriting on the outside had faded over the years, but Lia guessed that the letter itself would be typewritten, as so many other of Arianna’s letters had been.
Isabella gently picked it up, bringing it closer to her as she read the words out loud. “To my daughter on her wedding day.” She looked back up at Lia—the question on her face—with tears already quietly falling down her cheeks. “Lia—when? You’ve had this the whole time?”
Lia nodded her head.
All those years ago, Arianna had given her clear instructions as the day of her passing grew closer. Lia had completely understood Arianna’s desire to make her love known to her daughter. Who better to understand that than Lia?
She’d delivered on everything that she’d promised, and this letter was the last of what Arianna had entrusted to her. Lia could still remember the conversation as if it had happened only yesterday.